Lip product container/applicator

ABSTRACT

A new lip balm, cosmetic, or personal care product container that also functions as an applicator allowing cleaner, quicker, and easier application of said products. This invention is a new type of container/applicator that allows a different application method than current industry standards, namely having a large enough application area to allow the product to be applied all at once to the desired area as opposed to having to spread the product onto the desired application area. The newly invented container/applicator allows people to apply product cleanly, quickly, and easily using single or multiple colors in simplistic or complicated designs to the desired area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 65/259,558 entitled, “LIP PRODUCT CONTAINER/APPLICATOR” and having a filing date of Nov. 24, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of lip product applicators, e.g. tubes, sticks, and wands used to apply lipstick, gloss, or balms. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing and applying lip products.

Problem

Currently lip products consist of three main types, and three main application methods. The first type is a stick form, e.g. chapstick or lipstick, where the product is stored in a solid form in a tube. The product is pushed up through the tube, and applied by pressing the tip of the stick to the lip and dragging it from one side to the other for each lip. The second type is a liquid or gel, e.g. lip gloss, where the product is stored in a bottle. The product uses a wand with an absorbent tip to dip into the bottle, and then the tip is ran across the lips in a similar manner to a stick applicator. The third type is a solid or gel, e.g. lip balm, which is stored in small containers of varying sizes and shapes. This is applied by rubbing a finger across the top surface of the solid, and then rubbing the coated finger across each lip. (References to prior art concerning some of the current products are included.)

A disadvantage for these methods is that the person applying the lip product (user) typically has to use a mirror to see where the product is being applied. Another disadvantage is the product may smear on the face around the lips. Additionally, the user may not be able to apply the product in an even manner. Additionally, the user must use multiple applicators if they wish to wear multiple colors or create a design. Another disadvantage is that applying the product(s) is often time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other problems are solved, and an advance in the art is made, through the depicted embodiment of the present invention by combing the applicator and container into one, and changing the method by which the product is to be applied. The present invention is a lip product container and applicator which can store and apply solids, gels, or an absorbent material which may be saturated with a liquid. The present embodiment is a thin piece of solid material designed to fit between the lips.

In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the material is shaped into a thin, long tray to hold the lip balm, cosmetic, or personal care product. The tray having a wall on both the top and the bottom so as to be able to have lip product on both sides of the tray, and also protect the product from accidentally leaving the container. Additionally, the container functions as an applicator by providing handles by which to grip the container with. The handles providing a surface that is separated from the tray of the container containing the product by a wall or other means. The depicted embodiment also has optional tactile locators to help the user feel when the applicator is in the correct location.

The present invention may be manufactured in several ways. The container/applicator may be manufactured by one of several methods. These methods are additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, casting, or injection molding. Once the container is manufactured, the lip product may be placed in the container by one of several methods. These methods are pouring the liquefied lip product into the container and letting it set, pressing the already solidified lip product into the container, or printing the lip product using additive manufacturing concepts onto the container. In this way the invention may be manufactured into a functional product.

The present invention functions by having the user open their mouth, place the applicator firmly against the corners of the mouth, and press their lips firmly against the applicator. This method covers the lip(s) completely in an even manner. It also allows multiple colors and designs to be applied quickly with less effort. The walls help prevent lip product from accidently smearing on the face. Further the invention is designed to be easily cleaned, and therefor reusable. Additionally the product is designed in a way that makes it usable as a sample by retailers.

The main objective of the present invention is to create a better lip stick applicator. It achieves this by changing the method in which the lip product is stored, and also in which it is applied. However, it is not intended that the scope of this invention is to be limited by the specific consumer products and components discussed in this application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the invention if it were laying on a flat surface. This could be either the top or bottom as they are identical in this representation of the invention. This view shows the handles 101, tray 102, tactile locators 103, and wall 104.

FIG. 2 is cross sectional latitudinal view through the center of the invention as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional longitudinal view through a tactile locator 103 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional longitudinal view through the tray 102 and wall 104 as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The depicted embodiment of the present invention constitutes a container and applicator for lip products. The container being capable of storing lip products, and also functioning as an applicator of those products. The applicator functioning by having the user press their lip(s) against the exposed product on the container.

The depicted embodiment consists of a single container/applicator. The container/applicator consisting of the following attributes:

1. A handle(s) 101 by which to grip the container without touching the lip product.

2. A tray 102 that is covered in lip product on one or more sides.

3. Tactile locator(s) 103 that help the user feel when the applicator is centered on their lip(s). It is depicted as a removal of material in the wall, but may also be an addition of material, texturing, or other tactile feedback device.

4. A wall(s) 104 that helps prevent the user from accidently applying product to surfaces other than the intended application area, the lip(s).

The depicted embodiment of the present invention functions by having the surface of the tray 102 coated on one or more sides with lip product; the lip product not exceeding the boundaries of the wall(s) 104. In this way the invention functions as a container.

The user can apply the product by grasping the container by a handle(s), placing the wall 104 of the tray 102 against the corners of the mouth while the mouth is open, using the tactile locator(s) 103 to center the tray 102, and then pressing the lip(s) against the exposed lip product. The user then opens their mouth, and removes the container. In this way the invention functions as an applicator.

The container/applicator invention is long and wide enough so the tray 102 will have enough surface area to cover a human lip(s). The invention is also thin enough so as to fit comfortably between the lips when the mouth is open, and to allow the user to press their lips against it without extraordinary effort. 

I claim:
 1. A container for containing materials, wherein said container comprises A tray for materials to be placed on; A wall surrounding said tray; One or more handles to grip said tray;
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein said container functions as an applicator.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein material is contained on one or more sides of the container.
 4. The container of claim 1, wherein the surface area of the contained material is large enough to cover a human lip(s).
 5. The applicator of claim 2, wherein the surface area of the applicator is large enough to cover a human lip(s). 